City Council - 06/15/2010 - Workshop AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,JUNE 15, 2010 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Council Members Brad Aho, Ron Case, Jon Duckstad, and
Kathy Nelson
CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George Esbensen,
Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and
Recreation Director Jay L otthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Ric
Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H(5:00 p.m.)
I. CITY MANAGER' S PERFORMANCE REVIEW (CLOSED SESSION)
Council Chamber(6:30 p.m.)
II. OPEN PODIUM
A. Tommy Johnson
Mr. Johnson said there has been a failure of leadership on the part of Mayor Young.
Johnson referenced the investigation into allegations that the Mayor billed the City
for meetings he did not attend. Johnson called for Young's resignation
B. Jack Rhode
Mr. Rhode also called for the Mayor's resignation. He said voters have the right to
demand that elected officials be squeaky clean. He said he cannot imagine the
community will continue to have confidence in the Mayor.
C. Gary Stevens
Mr. Stevens referenced recent articles in the Star Tribune about the investigation into
Mayor Young's meeting attendance. Stevens said, "If it's good enough for
(Hennepin County Attorney) Freeman, it's good enough for me." Stevens called the
investigation a political witch hunt. He said Phil Young is a fine man and a fine
mayor.
D. Kevin Conboy
Mr. Conboy said he is a private citizen with no political agenda. He said Mayor
Young is the victim of a witch hunt, and he suggested that he get some clerical help.
He asked whether or not the City Manager is empowered to launch this type of
investigation.
E. Don Opheim
Mr. Opheim said he has observed many Mayors and Council Members. He said
Mayor Young is possibly the best Mayor he has seen in the last 42 years. He said he
hopes Mayor Young stays on.
F. Gwen Schultz
Ms. Schultz read a statement on behalf of Rick and Gina King. The statement said it
appears the mayor engaged in inaccurate bookkeeping, but what has transpired does
not require censure. The statement said Phil Young has done a good job as Mayor
and he has admitted his mistake.
G. Kevin Schultz
Mr. Schultz said he was speaking in support of Mayor Young. He said Mayor
Young is a committed, caring and giving community leader. Schultz said he does
not condone incorrect bookkeeping, but it appears the errors were unintentional and
not done for personal gain.
H. Kathy Kientzle
Kientzle said she has lived in Eden Prairie for 22 years. She said she is impressed by
Mayor Young's ability to withstand nasty comments. She said that although he did
not attend some meetings he said he did, he also attended many others. She said we
need his clear thinking and dedication.
I. Dick Proops
Mr. Proops said he was speaking as a private citizen. He asked if the City Manager
had ever done anything like this before. He asked who was the source of the
information. He encouraged the City Council not to let this politically motivated
attack keep them from doing the work of the City.
J. Marc Papineau
Mr. Papineau noted that the County Attorney declined to prosecute the Mayor for not
attending meetings he listed on claim forms. Now a special prosecutor is examining
the matter. He urged everyone to let the investigation run its course. He also said the
Mayor submitted pay requests for meetings he did not attend,but also did not submit
claims for other meetings he did attend.
K. Jan Mosman
Ms. Mosman said the City must be unbiased in its operations. Facts should
determine actions. She thanked the City Council and staff for how the City is
managed.
L. John Mallo
Mr. Mallo said the Mayor has become an embarrassment. He said the Mayor is a
good person most of the time,but it appears that he lied on statements. Mallo said
the Mayor has not provided proof of meetings he has attended but not submitted for
payment. He said he hopes Young will do the right thing for Eden Prairie.
III. ADJOURNMENT